General
Mak Urged to Strengthen GMD for Effective Policy Implementation
Participants at a highly interactive two-day monitoring and evaluation workshop held on 29th and 30th April 2021 have urged Makerere University to prioritise the recruitment of more technical staff under the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD) as a guarantee of effective implementation of the Policy and Regulations Against Sexual Harassment (PRASH) and the Gender Equality Policy.
The evaluation session revealed that the staffing levels at GMD were very low in comparison to the magnitude of work, which entails the implementation of PRASH, the Gender Equality Policy as well as other critical roles and responsibilities. The participants learnt that although the GMD staff structure provided for a number of technical staff, many of these positions remained vacant. It was therefore imperative for the University leadership to evaluate the staffing levels versus the expectations from each Office, pay attention to the workload for each staff, and provide financial resources and equipment/tools required for each office to achieve its targets.
The participants also emphasized the need to institutionalise monitoring and evaluation systems at Makerere University. “An office should be established and empowered with staff to perform the task of monitoring and evaluation of University systems, processes, policies, operations, programs and projects. This is vital if we are to remain on track. With monitoring and evaluation, one is able to detect early what is not working and reasons for such a scenario and identify whether the required finances, staff, equipment and other variables were provided. This would hold leaders and staff accountable.”
According to the participants, an independent and professional monitoring and evaluation function/office would ensure value for money and effective utilization of resources, guide management and staff to quickly establish what is not working and above all, improve the performance of institutional projects, policies and operations.
The recommendations were informed by free flow of ideas premised on presentations on PRASH by Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine, Director GMD, Associate Prof. Noeline Nakasujja, Head of the Department of Psychiatry-Mak College of Health Sciences (CHS), Dr. Gertrude Sebunya Muwanga an expert in Monitoring and Evaluation, and Prof. Moses Kamya-Mak CHS among other facilitators.
Focusing on the program goal that seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity of Makerere University to implement and evaluate the policy strategies on sexual misconduct and harassment, the monitoring and evaluation workshop brought on board staff and students to critique PRASH. The event was courtesy of a grant received by the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, CHS in collaboration with the University of Washington at St. Louis from the National Institute of Health Fogarty International Centre.
In line with the best practices that necessitate a thorough understanding of the subject under critique, the organisers provided the essential information materials, experts, programmes and delivery styles to enable each participant gain a deeper understanding of PRASH. Each participant also received a hard copy of PRASH for reference purposes.
To set the pace, Dr. Mugisha Baine provided an overview of PRASH, taking care to define what constitutes sexual harassment. According to the policy, sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours or unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature. The policy is accessible on the Policies Website at this link: https://policies.mak.ac.ug/sites/default/files/policies/Policy-and-Regulations-Against-Sexual-Harassment-2018.pdf
Empowered with the necessary background information, participants pointed out the progress so far, implementation challenges and gaps. Some of the observations and measures include:
- Mak’s commitment to zero tolerance to sexual harassment lives on through the steps undertaken in the implementation of PRASH. Participants noted that the PRASH policy was reviewed, stakeholders were consulted during the review process, and the Vice Chancellor appointed the standing Roster of 100 that constitutes a pool of staff who would be called upon to investigate sexual harassment cases. The members of staff constituting the Vice Chancellor’s Roster of 100 were inducted, trained and equipped with knowledge and skills in preparation for the task ahead.
- The GMD has conducted a number of sensitization engagements with staff and students through training workshops, dialogues, talks during the freshers’ orientation, and coordination of competitions/campaigns among students aimed at averting sexual harassment and sexual abuse.
- The policy is easily accessible on the Mak Policies Website. Hard copies of the same are in print in a light and friendly booklet format freely distributed to members of staff and students.
- GMD has deliberately engaged Mak Management and other key university units such as the School of Law, Directorate of Legal Affairs, School of Women and Gender Studies, Mak Public Relations Office, Mak Students’ leadership in PRASH awareness activities/programmes/campaigns.
- GMD has reached out to several partners and stakeholders such as the; UN Women, Embassy of Sweden, The Spotlight Initiative among others, to eliminate violence against women and girls.
- GMD in partnership with the Public Relations Office has engaged the media in the coverage of PRASH awareness and sensitization drives/programmes.
- Reported cases of sexual harassment have been investigated, and the culprits suspended and/or dismissed in line with PRASH and other laws governing the country.
- Messages have been shared encouraging students and staff to take be bold and report sexual harassment cases.
- Sensitization and training workshops have emphasized the PRASH position on the need for leaders to report and act on all complaints of sexual harassment. ‘According to PRASH, any person in authority who receives a complaint of sexual harassment and fails to take any pro-active step to progress the matter in a timely and appropriate manner commits an offence and shall be subject to disciplinary action.”
During the workshop, the participants noted some challenges in the implementation of PRASH. These include; limited funding to the GMD, low staffing levels at the Directorate and lack of representation of GMD staff at the respective Colleges, which affect the implementation of PRASH and the Gender Equality Policy. Due to limited funding, the Directorate is not able to sustain sensitization activities. Some of the participants revealed that a number of victims still fear to report sexual harassment cases.
Providing the way forward, participants underscored the need to recruit more staff that are technical and provide the required financial resources for GMD to effectively undertake its mandate. They highlighted the need to intensify sensitization to staff and students as well as implored GMD to come up with strategies for the Vice Chancellor’s Roster of 100 to help coordinate activities and programmes at the College level.
On 30th April 2021, the facilitators equipped participants with knowledge on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) including understanding of key terms such as M& E system, plan and framework. At the end of this session, the participants stressed the need to institutionalise monitoring and evaluation systems at Makerere University.
Wrapping up the plenary session, Prof. Moses Kamya reiterated the need for all members of staff to undergo training in gender issues and sexual harassment.
Closing the workshop, Associate Prof. Nakasujja applauded the participants for dedicating time to participate in the training, evaluating the PRASH and providing valuable input that will strengthen the institutional capacity of Makerere University to implement and evaluate the same. In the same spirit, she commended the project staff for their commitment towards the successful delivery of the training workshop.
Article by: Mak Public Relations Office
Makerere University has reaffirmed its commitment to building strong global partnerships through a high-level engagement with Goucher College (USA), represented by Ms. Nenelwa Tomi. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, also brought together academic leaders from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) led by the Deputy Principal Dr. Eric Awich Ocen.
Opening the discussions, Prof. Ssali emphasized the importance of partnerships in driving Makerere University’s mission of knowledge generation, innovative teaching, research, and societal transformation. She highlighted her office’s role in supporting the Vice Chancellor’s vision and noted that the university has cultivated over 1,000 partnerships worldwide, ranging from global universities to community-based organizations. However, she stressed that the humanities, in particular, needed more collaboration to match the momentum already seen in the sciences.
The spotlight of the meeting was on Goucher College, with Nenelwa Tomi making a strong case for collaboration. She outlined the college’s unique strengths, including its liberal arts model, global education approach, and emphasis on experiential learning. Tomi emphasized Goucher College’s readiness to create synergies with Makerere University, ranging from faculty and student exchange programs to joint research, innovation projects, and alumni engagement opportunities. She noted that the shared values of diversity, community-centered learning, and innovation make the two institutions natural partners.
Nenelwa Tomi highlighted Goucher College’s global perspective, noting that every student is required to engage in international learning as part of their degree. This, she explained, positions Goucher College as an institution deeply committed to cross-cultural exchange, making collaboration with Makerere University a natural extension of its mission. She emphasized the college’s strong tradition in liberal arts and humanities, pointing out that this could complement Makerere University’s growing interest in broadening partnerships beyond the sciences. She further mentioned that Goucher College has well-established student support systems, career readiness programs, and digital learning innovations, which could create synergies with Makerere University’s own efforts to integrate technology and experiential learning into academic programs.
In addition, she shared success stories of Goucher College’s collaborations with other international institutions, illustrating how these partnerships had not only expanded academic opportunities but also enhanced community impact. Finally, she stressed the importance of sustainable, people-centered partnerships, noting that collaboration should be designed to empower both students and staff, while also producing solutions that address pressing societal challenges in Uganda, the United States, and beyond.
Dr. Cathy Mbidde the Manager Makerere University Innovation Pod (UNIPOD) spoke on behalf Makerere University Technology and Innovation Center, established in 2022 to commercialize research outputs. The UNIPOD with facilities such as maker spaces, food technology labs, textile and electrical sections, and a multimedia studio, the center has already incubated five student-owned companies in areas like health, irrigation, coffee, wine, and wood production. Its focus on nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship aligns closely with Goucher’s experiential learning philosophy, opening new pathways for co-creation between the two institutions.
In closing, the meeting underscored the vast potential for Makerere–Goucher collaboration, with both sides expressing optimism about partnerships that could benefit students, staff, and the broader community. The dialogue marked the beginning of what stakeholders described as a promising journey of innovation, knowledge exchange, and global academic synergy.
The meeting was held on the 2nd of October 2025 and was attended by Dr. Pamela Khanakwa (Dean of the School of Liberal and Performing) Dr. Dickson Kanakulya (Head of the Department of Philosophy) and Dr. Charlotte K. Mafumbo (Head of the Department of History).
General
Prof. Sarah Ssali commends Makerere University’s longstanding relationship with the Mastercard Foundation
By Antonny Tugaineyo
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, hailed Makerere University for its longstanding partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, which has produced tangible results and impact. She made these remarks while officiating the launch and strategic plan co-creation workshop of the Africa Climate Collaborative, another initiative between Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation, held on 30th September 2025, at the Senate Conference Hall, Makerere University.
“These initiatives illustrate how deeply the partnership between Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation has become. The Africa Climate Collaborative builds on this foundation, broadening opportunities for scholarships, mentorship, and support for innovations that promote climate-resilient futures,” Prof. Ssali remarked.
Prof. Ssali highlighted that the Africa Climate Collaborative is a university-wide initiative created to tackle the ongoing challenges in graduate education in Africa, such as low completion rates, weak industry connections, and the disconnect between academic research and practical solutions.
“I strongly commend Makerere’s longstanding partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, which began in 2013, supporting transformative initiatives such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Action Research in Psychosocial Services, the E-learning Initiative, and the enhancement of Safeguarding at the university.” Prof. Ssali pointed out.
The Program Director for the Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University and Principal of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, used the workshop to elaborate on the Collaborative’s mission and its four strategic pillars;
Pillar 1: Workforce Development: Enable talented young professionals to lead the development of climate solutions through quality education
- Extend comprehensive Scholarships to 250 Masters and 40 PhD Students
- Develop new curricula of 2 Masters and 1 PhD programmes
- Upskill 150 Faculty in academic research supervision to improve the research experience of all graduate students
Pillar 2: Entrepreneurship: Empower youth to drive green economies through enhanced green entrepreneurship skilling programs
- Skilling Programme for 500 youth who have not had the opportunity to pursue University Education
- Provide seed funding for 200 viable entrepreneurship projects
- Extend business mentorship to entrepreneurs for a period of 2 years
- Provide boost funding for 40 women and youth-led green community innovations
Pillar 3: Research and Innovation: Catalyze high-quality research and innovation through a Climate Resilience Support Centre
- Support 30 post-doctoral fellows.
- Establishment of the Climate Resilience Support Centre to catalyze high-quality research and innovation.
- Seed funding for 101 Innovations (MSc, PhD, & Postdoctoral fellows) with facilitated mentorship for a period of 2 years.
- Boost the research and innovation infrastructure at the University.
Pillar 4: Networks, Policy, and Learning: Strengthen networks to disseminate research outputs and innovations to enhance resilience to climate change
- Partner with 5 Public Universities (Gulu University, Busitema University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Muni University) to develop joint research initiatives and community engagement programmes
- Conduct 14 climate science-policy-practice dialogues to co-create transformative climate resilience solutions.
- Support 15 Local Governments to develop their Climate Change Strategies and Action Plans
- Engage 40 multi-generational community liaisons to promote uptake of research innovations.
Prof. Justine Namaalwa, the Lead of Mastercard Foundation initiatives at Makerere University, expressed her gratitude to university management for entrusting the Program Delivery Team with the responsibility of implementing the Programme. She also thanked participants for their highly productive engagement, noting that their valuable contributions will significantly guide the Program’s operations.
Prof. Namaalwa further indicated that more targeted engagements with university units will be conducted to support the effective implementation of the Program. She emphasised that the Programme will collaborate closely with various units and projects to deliver the following course:
- Cross-cutting course on Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The Program will partner with the Directorate of Graduate Training and the Makerere University Innovation Pod (UniPod) to co-develop and co-deliver this course, making it accessible to all master’s and PhD students across the University.
- Course on Human-Centred Design in Teaching and Learning: In collaboration with the Directorate of Graduate Training and the Centre for Teaching and Learning Support, the Program will co-develop and co-deliver this course for all faculty members.
- Cross-cutting course on Climate Resilience for Livelihoods, Economy, and Ecosystems: The Collaborative will work with Makerere University Centre for Climate Change Research and Innovation (MUCCRI) to co-develop and co-deliver this course to all students.
Regarding the pillar aimed at skilling youth who have not had the opportunity to pursue university education, Prof. Namaalwa observed that the Program will leverage the expertise of the Africa Institute for Strategic Resource Services and Development (AFRISA) and other innovation centres and hubs across the University to equip the youth in creating and sustaining green enterprises.
The Africa Climate Collaborative is a new partnership between Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation. It is being carried out in collaboration with three other universities: The University of Ghana, the University of Cape Town, and the University of Cambridge.
Antonny Tugaineyo is the Principal CRSC Coordinator for Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University
On 30th September 2025, DFCU Bank Uganda Ltd made a generous donation of twenty million shillings (20,000,000 UGX) to support the Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University in their upcoming give-back project at Bwera Primary School in Kabale District, Western Uganda. Over the years, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars have engaged in various community give-back projects, significantly transforming the lives of many young people. Their initiatives have included building classroom blocks in Karamoja and Agago districts, constructing boreholes in Bulamwiki, Iganga District, and planting trees. These efforts have had a positive impact on the communities they serve.
While speaking at the handing-over ceremony of the dummy cheque, Ms Maryann Wanjiku Michuki, the Chief Business Solutions & Marketing Officer, who represented the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, expressed gratitude for the partnership between the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University , which has lasted over 10 years.
“We are very proud of our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University that has lasted over 10 years. We commend the efforts to renovate the classroom blocks and build a modern pit latrine. We commend the Scholars for taking on such impactful causes for the community.” Ms Wanjiku remarked.
On her part, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University , expressed gratitude to the generous donation towards the Scholars giveback efforts.
“We are very grateful for this generous gesture by DFCU Bank towards the Scholars’ Give Back efforts. We are more than partners in this journey; we plan to allocate this donation into a general project fund, have an independent project undertaken by DFCU, and invite you to launch it.” Prof. Namaalwa remarked.
Prof. Namaalwa highlighted that giving back is a central focus of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University . It aims to cultivate a service-oriented culture among scholars and alumni of the Program, fostering a sense of responsibility and commitment.
“As part of the Scholars Journey at Makerere University , the Scholars are made aware of the Philosophy and practice of giveback, and then encouraged to empower communities through sharing and action voluntarily.” Prof. Namaalwa remarked.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University have, over the years, made significant contributions to communities. Initially, these contributions were solely by the Scholars. From 2020 on wards, resource mobilisation expanded beyond the Scholars to include the Program Implementation Team, Scholar alumni, and the Program partners.
The selected Scholars Giveback Project for 2025
For the year 2025, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University designated Bwera Primary School in Kabale district as the giveback project. Bwera Primary School was established in 1983 as a community-based institution and later became a government-aided school. It educates 268 pupils in the rural Kabale District. Despite its vital role in the community, the school faces many challenges, including:
- Dilapidated classrooms
- A shared mud and wattle pit latrine shared by students and staff
- Lack of clean water
- Lack of electricity
- Insufficient staff housing
Proposed Interventions and Support
There are four proposed support areas which shall be prioritised or ranked based on the projected resource mobilisation.
- Renovation of two classroom blocks, including plastering the walls and working on the floors.
- Construction of a 4–5 stance modern pit latrine to enhance sanitation, health, and dignity for learners and staff.
- Provision of 50 bench desks for the candidate class.
- Installation of a water harvesting system to guarantee access to clean water for drinking and handwashing.
Call to Action:
We call upon all people of goodwill to contribute to creating a safe, inclusive, and motivating learning environment at Bwera Primary School, Kabale district, through the following avenues;
- Contribute financially (any amount makes a difference).
- Mobilise others within your networks.
- Contribute physical building materials, i.e. Cement, Iron bars, Bricks, etc.
All school-going children deserve a safe place to learn, access to clean water, and the hope of a brighter future. Your support is not just transforming Bwera Primary School — it is changing lives. Together, we build for the future. Together, we shape tomorrow.
Bernard Buteera is the Principal Public Relations Officer for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
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